Surgical fracture apparatus



April 10, 1945. G. J. BAKER, JR 2,373,37

v SURGICAL FRACTURE APPARATUS Filed DGO. 3l, 1942 l 2 Sheets-Sheet lV April 10, 1945. G. J. BAKER, JR 2,373,371'

SURGICAL FRACTURE APPARATUS Patented Apr. 10, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlQ-E` SURGICAL FRACTURE APPARATUS Glenn J. Baker, Jr., Los Angeles, Calif. Application December 31, 1942, Serial No. 470,847

(ci. '12s- 85) 1 Claim.

This invention relates to surgical fracture apparatus, and has more particular reference to an improved splint for use in placing a patients limbs under proper tension and maintaining the same under such tension, so that the adjacent ends of j will become apparent from the following description when consideredin connection with the accompanying drawings, and the invention consists in the novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the drawings and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure l'is a side elevational view of the splintl constructed in accordance with the present invention, and illustrating the same applied to a patients arm. Y

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the construction shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2. l

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse section taken on line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is an enlarged plan View of one section of one of the adjustable limb supporting straps forming part of the apparatus shown in Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 of the other or cooperating section of said supporting straps.

. fracture splint consists of an elongated frame preferably composed oi' an inner section A and an outer section B. The inner frame section A consists of a pair of side members or bars 5 ar-y ranged in slightly outwardly or forwardly converging relation and rigidly connected at their inner ends by means of a downwardly directed arcuate limb clamping member 6 having a suitable pad covering 1. Connecting the inner end portions of the side bars 5 of inner frame section A is a clamping. or securing strap composed of adjustably connected sections 8 and 9. The clamping member 6 is adapted to pass under the limb at the inner or upper portion of the latter, and the clamping strap 8, 9 is adapted to @pass outwardly about or over the limb so as to cooperate with the member 6 for securely clamping or securing the innerr end of the frame t'o 'the limb. A series ofbandaglng'straps are provided at regular spaced intervals` along and connecting' the side frame bars 5`so as to sustain the limb in a comfortable manner when placed in asubstantially horizontal position. These strapsy areA arranged to pass under and then over the limb and are adjustable in length to encircle the different portions of thelimb. As shown, each of the bandaginglstraps consists of a section lil having a'loop at its inner end and a section l2 having a similar loop I2 at its inner end. The outer ends of the sections I0 and l2 are passed through the loops Il and I2 after passing about the associated 'side frame bars '5 and? the outer end portion lof strap section l0 has a longitudinal series of apertures I3 arranged to cooperate with a buckle i4 on the outer end of the strap section l2. The loops Il and 12a are of such a size that the outer end of section I0 may pass through said loop l l and the buckle ld may pass through the loop 12a in applying the strap sections to the frame bars 5.

The splint frame section B consists of a U- shaped member having tubular legs sliclably re ceiving the outer ends of the frame bars 5 of the inner frame section A, so that the frame may be adjusted in length. Set screws l5 are carried by the legs of section B and arranged to impinge the frame bars -5 to secure the outer frame section B in adjusted relation to the inner frame section A.

A transverse cross head I6 is arranged between the legs of the outer frame section B and adjustable longitudinally of the latter, said cross head having arcuate end members I 'l partially embracing the legs of section B so as to slidably mount said cross head in place. wrist band I8 is connected with the cross head IB by means of adjustable straps i9 that extend inwardly or rearwardly tothe wrist band. As the wrist band is adjustable, it may be securely fastened about the ankle or wrist of the limb, and by adjusting the cross head IS outwardly, the patients limb may be placed and maintained under proper tension. Such tensioning means may consist of an adjusting screw 2li journalled in the outer intermediate portion of outer frame section B as in 2l and provided on its' other end with a suitable handle or crank 22, the inner threaded stem of screw 2li having threaded engagement with the outer end portion of an open rectangular frame 23 whose inner end is apertured to slidably receive a stem 24 rigid with and projecting outwardly from the intermediate portion of cross head I6. The outer end of stem 24 has a head 25, and a compression spring 2B en- An ankle or circles the stem 24 between the inner end of frame |23 and head 25. Head 25 also has a lateral pointer 21 cooperating with graduations 28 on the adjacent side of frame 23. Thus, by turning screw 20 the frame 23 may be adjusted outwardly 5 so as to increase the tension of spring 26 to the extent indicated by the pointer 21 in connection with graduations 28. In this way, an accurate desired tension may be placed upon the patient's limb uponwhich the splint is used., This tension may be secured by means of a jam nut'29 threaded on adjusting screw 20 and arranged to impinge the outer end of frame 23 when tightened.4

Connecting the outer ends of the side bars .5 y

of the inner frame section A and depending therefrom is a U-shaped member -30 adapted V"to extend well below the splint` frame at a point near the patients hand or foot. Thus, the support 30 may contact the door or any other 'supporting surfacei so as to maintain the patients of mending orknitting of the `bone of the fractured limb. The ankle or wrist band i8 yis preferably provided with a soft lining or padded inner surface for obvious reasons. WhatI claim asn'ewis' ,y l A fracture splint comprising yan inner frame section and an outer frame section, said inner frame section comprising spaced side bars and a downwardly extended arcuate member rigidly connecting the inner ends of said bars, a securing strap at the inner .end of the inner frame section, a series of bandaging straps adjustable in length and connecting the side bars of the inner frame section at suitable intervals so as to pass around lthe patients limb, said outer frame section comprising a U-shaped member having tubular legs slidably telescoped upon the outer ends of the side bars of the inner frame section, means to secure the frame sections in relatively adjusted position, a wrist or ankle band, a cross head slidable longitudinally of the outer frame section, a pair of laterally spaced adjustable straps ilexibly connecting the cross head to the top and bottom of said ankle or wrist band, and manually operable means to longitudinally adjust the cross head in the frame, said last named means comprising an adjusting screw journalled in the outer end` of the outer frame section, a rectangular frame member, said adjusting screw having threaded engagement in the outerrend of said last named frame member,l a stem slidable through the inner end of the last .named frame member and fixed to the cross head, the outer end of said stem having a head, and a compreso sion spring encircling said stemvbetween said head andthe inner endofA said last member.A4 l

l GLENN J. BAKER, JR.

named frame 

